Change of Occupancy / Change of Use Permit in Aurora, Colorado

Aurora requires a change of occupancy / change of use permit for: The IBC makes it unlawful to use or occupy a building or structure unless a certificate of occupancy has been issued for that specific use; a change of use/occupancy is NOT required where the proposed reuse of the structure or space matches the original CO already approved by the Building Division; Step 1: Determine the structure's current occupancy classification via its most recent Certificate of Occupancy (available through 'Property Information' on auroragov.org, or from the Building Division, 303-739-7420); Aurora first adopted a national building code in 1952, so not every structure has a CO on file — where none exists, the Building Division works with the applicant's architect or engineer to establish historical use through a public records search; Step 2: Confirm the newly proposed use is allowed within the property's zoning district by contacting the Aurora Planning Department's Planner In-Charge (303-739-7250); if Planning determines the use is NOT allowed, the Building Division cannot conduct plan review or issue the permits needed for a new CO; Step 3: Contact the Building Division (303-739-7420, ask for the Plans Examiner On-Duty) for the applicable plan review submittal checklist; even where no new construction work is proposed, a permit application, plan review, and field inspection are still required to verify the space complies with minimum code requirements for the newly proposed use; Step 4: Submit prepared building construction documents with a completed Building Permit Application; a plan review fee is due at the time of application; once accepted and approved, the permit is routed to other city departments as applicable (Planning for a Use Approval/Site Plan Amendment/Redevelopment Plan; Public Works Real Property Division for exterior structural modifications or added square footage; Aurora Water for new plumbing fixtures, grease interceptors, or water-tap-size increases) — this internal routing step takes a maximum of seven working days, IN ADDITION TO the underlying plan review process itself; Step 5: Pay for the approved building permit at the City Cashier's Office, pick up the permit at the Building Division, and begin work; Step 6: Call for field inspections of all work as it progresses; once all required inspections are completed and approved, bring the approved permit card to the Building Division Permit Counter to obtain the new Certificate of Occupancy. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division at (303) 739-7420 before starting work.

No separate flat dollar figure is published for a change-of-use plan review fee. Where construction/tenant-improvement work accompanies the change of use, the fee follows the same per-square-foot, occupancy-group New Building Construction Fee Table (Form #A176) used for tenant improvements elsewhere in this file. Where no construction work is involved, confirm the applicable fee directly with the Permit Center (303-739-7420) or the online Permit Fee Calculator.

At least 7 working days for the internal department-routing step alone, per the Building Division's own 'Change of Occupancy' guidance — in addition to the underlying plan review process. More complex changes of use going through the full commercial plan-review track can take up to 40 working days (54 calendar days) per the Commercial Plan Review Checklist's published maximum average review commitment. A simple, work-free reclassification would likely be faster; confirm with the Building Division for a project-specific estimate.

You'll need: City of Aurora Building Permit Application; Most Recent Certificate of Occupancy on File; Planning Department Use-Conformance Documentation; Construction/Compliance Documents. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Aurora requires 3 inspection(s) for a change of occupancy / change of use permit, in order: Zoning Use-Conformance Review, Field Inspection, Final / Certificate of Occupancy Issuance. Schedule each through City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division ((303) 739-7420).

Apply through City of Aurora Development Services Department — Building Division at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Ste. 2400, Aurora, CO 80012. Phone: (303) 739-7420, email: permitcounter@auroragov.org. Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wed 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.. Official information: https://www.auroragov.org/business_services/building_division/permits.

Aurora, Colorado has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — with City of Aurora Amendments (Aurora City Code Ch. 22); 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; Table R301.2(1) climatic/geographic criteria amended locally; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) — with City of Aurora Amendments; 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Standard; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — City of Aurora will transition to the 2026 NEC for electrical permit applications received on/after August 1, 2026. Local amendments apply — see the Aurora overview page for the full list.

Yes. The Building Division's own guidance states plainly that 'even where no new work is being proposed, a permit application, plan review and field inspection is required to verify that the space complies with the minimum code requirements for the newly proposed use.' A change of use is not required only where the proposed reuse matches the structure's existing approved Certificate of Occupancy.